I feel like this is one mighty circle jerk where nobody remembers anything. If a person possessing a HCAW decides to use that as his weapon of choice in a mass shooting, not having a HCAW would minimize the damage he could do with his non-existent HCAW. But, as I've said time and time again, the crazies aren't using HCAW as their primary weapon in mass shootings with the exception of Sandy Hook.

Posted by tecwrg on 1/29/2013 6:09:00 PM (view original):Can you envision any non-swamplike-delusional scenario in which continued ownership of HCAW will help to deter or minimize the scope of mass shootings?

I'd say there are some things that would be more effective.

Far more important and more likely to help would be better care of people who are designated to have mental instabilities and are described as "a danger to himself and others". These people shouldn't be anywhere but in an institution where they cannot commit mass murder.

Time and time again we learn after an incident that there were many warning signs. Too often these signs aren't taken seriously enough.

On the other hand it can go too far in some instances as in the case of a couple of HS kids who were discussing different weapons in the game "Call of Duty", and apparently made some students uncomfortable. The students were reported and the investigation determined that they were discussing a game, yet they are, according to the principal, facing serious consequences, due to their zero tolerance policy. Seems like common sense would say if the investigation determined there was no real threat case should be closed. Do your due diligence to not dismiss any warning signs but no need to go overboard when it is determined there is no real threat.

Posted by MikeT23 on 1/29/2013 6:01:00 PM (view original):Most people take less invasive when invasive is inevitable. I think something is inevitable. Ineffective but inevitable.

I'd say that taking HCAW away will be more effective at limiting crimes committed with HCAW than making people register them.

You seem to think people tote HCAW around and commit crimes. I don't think that's true.

The certainly won't if they are taken away. They probably still will if they are registered...the Sandy Hook gun would have been registered by Lanza's mother if that had been a requirement. But she still would have had it for him to take.

Posted by MikeT23 on 1/29/2013 6:01:00 PM (view original):Most people take less invasive when invasive is inevitable. I think something is inevitable. Ineffective but inevitable.

I'd say that taking HCAW away will be more effective at limiting crimes committed with HCAW than making people register them.

You seem to think people tote HCAW around and commit crimes. I don't think that's true.

The certainly won't if they are taken away. They probably still will if they are registered...the Sandy Hook gun would have been registered by Lanza's mother if that had been a requirement. But she still would have had it for him to take.

And a ban of AW doesn't take them off the street. It takes them off the legal street.